The Complete Apartment Must-Have Amenities List

Let’s be honest — paying rent can be painful, especially if you don’t feel like you’re getting your money’s worth. If you don’t know the best apartment amenities to look for when renting an apartment, you could be forking over your hard-earned money for the bare minimum.

If you’re contemplating a move to Washington, D.C., Baltimore or the surrounding suburbs, there are plenty of apartment communities to consider. Having an apartment amenities checklist can help you find the best community to call home. So, are apartment amenities worth it? Here is everything you need to know to answer that question.

What Are Apartment Amenities?

Apartment amenities are features that add value to your apartment or apartment community. Amenities can be present in the unit, in common areas or in the surrounding neighborhood.

What Is the Purpose of Amenities?

Apartment communities provide amenities to improve residents’ quality of life. On-site amenities will usually provide a convenience that saves you time or money (or both!). In short, the best apartment amenities provide value by making your life easier.

Whether you’re looking for apartments with a washer and dryer in unit or a community with a pool, it’s important to prioritize which amenities are important to you and what you’ll use most often. There will rarely be an apartment community that checks every box on your wish list, but by prioritizing the list, you can ensure you find a community that has amenities compatible with your lifestyle.

What Are the Best Apartment Amenities?

As you start your apartment search, create an apartment amenities checklist that includes the comforts your new home must have. Do you want a microwave? Will you need parking? What about a pet-friendly community for your furry friend?

There are three main categories to consider when gauging the value of an apartment’s amenities: the unit, the community and the neighborhood.

Unit Amenities

If you’re wondering what to look for when renting an apartment, start with what’s inside the unit. These amenities will be features that you use every day and are in addition to the basics like the number of bedrooms and overall square footage.

Typically, these should be the first round of considerations as you start your apartment search. However, the order of prioritization is entirely up to you.

Dishwasher: You’ll never have to hand wash a dish again! This amenity can save you the headache of doing chores after a long day and eliminate the need for a drying rack, which will free up valuable counter space.
Washer and dryer: Apartments with a washer and dryer in the unit add a convenience factor. Easily clean your clothes without having to lug your laundry in and out of your apartment.
Furnished apartment: For some people, decorating is the most exciting part about getting a new apartment. For others, it’s a burden — especially when moving furniture from your old place to your new one. If you fall in the latter category, you may want to consider a furnished apartment.
Pet-friendly: Pets are family, so finding an apartment that welcomes your cat or dog is top-of-mind for pet owners.
Granite countertops: This luxurious feature makes your kitchen feel modern and look polished.
Window coverings: With blinds or shades included, the sun won’t wake you early on the weekends! Just make sure to set an alarm for work on weekdays.
Air conditioning: Stay cool during warmer months and keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature while you sleep.
Garbage disposal: Get rid of food scraps easily and avoid clogging your pipes.
Microwave: It sounds minor, but having a built-in microwave offers a more polished look and frees up counter space.
Walk-In Closets: Keep your bedroom clutter-free with a closet that fits your entire wardrobe and has room to store other odds and ends.

Community Amenities

These amenities will determine how much time you spend in common areas outside of your individual apartment. Are the facilities conducive to community-building? Are there events that foster an inclusive environment? Do the offerings add value?

After you tour your potential apartment, check out the common areas. The best community management companies will offer plenty of worthwhile amenities. Some apartments charge an amenity fee, while others have the cost of amenities built into your monthly rent. Some may fall somewhere in between, offering a base level of amenities included in your rent as well as some “premium” amenities for a little extra. When speaking to a leasing professional, be sure to ask, “Are apartment amenities free in this building?”

Here are some community amenities to consider when building your apartment amenities checklist.

On-site management: Property management team members close by to help solve unexpected problems.
24-hour emergency maintenance: Round-the-clock service in case of emergencies that can’t wait until business hours.
Common area WiFi: Surf the web or stream your favorite show in a relaxing community living space.
Business center: Work remotely or study in a quiet area with desks and printers. You’ll immediately feel productive.
Resident lounge: Chat with friends, host a game night or meet your neighbors in a casual community space.
Complimentary coffee bar: Some leasing offices offer residents fuel for the day… for free!
Controlled access: Feel comfortable in a controlled access building or gated community. These apartment communities typically require a badge or code to enter.
Fitness center: Get your sweat on with cardio, weight lifting or yoga in the on-site gym.
Pool: Take a dip in a crystal clear outdoor pool or simply relax poolside on a summer afternoon.
Parking: Park your car on site instead of on the street or in a public lot. Some apartment communities might even have covered parking to protect your vehicle.
Grilling stations: Bond over burgers and vegetable skewers at complimentary grilling stations.
On-site dry cleaners: Show up to work looking sharp with the convenience of dry cleaners in your apartment community.
On-site grocery store: You’ll never have to worry about lugging heavy grocery bags far distances, with a marketplace just a few steps away.
Community garden: Show your green thumb and connect with your neighbors by tending to the community garden.
Complimentary DVD rentals: See the latest box office releases for less with free DVD rentals.
Dog park: Let your furry friend romp and play in your apartment’s dog park.
Picnic area: After cooking, enjoy your meal hot off the grill at the picnic tables.
Bike share: Go green and skip rush hour by taking advantage of a bike share program.
Recycling program: Reduce, reuse, recycle! Green living is growing ever more important.

Neighborhood Amenities

The characteristics of your neighborhood are an amenity in and of themselves. What surrounds your apartment community should be the final consideration in your apartment-hunting process.

You might require a certain level of walkability if you don’t own a vehicle, or want great dining options if you like to try new foods (or just don’t always feel like cooking). Whatever your preferences, take a look at what’s nearby when you narrow down your list of apartment options.

Convenience to major roadways: Hopping right on the highway saves lots of time and gas money.
Accessible public transportation: No vehicle? Don’t feel like driving? Make your commute a breeze with nearby public transportation.
Nearby supermarkets: Don’t worry about forgetting anything at the store. With a grocery store nearby, you’ll pick up anything you need without a lot of hassle.
Coffee shops: If you want to change up your surroundings, visit a local coffee shop. With this close-by neighborhood staple, it’ll feel like an extension of your apartment.
Restaurants: Quickly pick up takeout orders after a long day at work or meet up with friends for a meal without battling traffic.
Trails and bike paths: Enjoy the fresh outdoors and see what your neighborhood has to offer.

Apartment Amenities FAQ

Do You Have to Pay for Apartment Amenities?

In most cases, amenities are included in the price of your apartment. However, apartments with many amenities included tend to have higher rental rates than those without amenities. In rare cases, you may have to pay separately for amenities like building laundry.

What Is an Amenity Fee for an Apartment?

Some apartments charge a monthly fee in addition to rent to cover the cost of community amenities. You may be able to opt out of the amenity fee, but then you won’t have access to building amenities like the pool or gym.

Are Apartment Amenities Worth It?

This all depends on your lifestyle and your priorities when it comes to your living space. Many people find that having amenities on-site dramatically improves their quality of life. However, if you’re more focused on price or location, amenities might not matter as much to you.

Southern Management Communities Have the Best Apartment Amenities

Once you make your personal list of apartment must-haves, you can start your apartment search. Conceptualizing exactly what you want and need will help you find the right place to rent.

If you want to expedite your research, start with Southern Management. We have over 75 communities, each equipped with some of the best apartment amenities to choose from. First, narrow down the area you want to live in, then check out each community’s unique amenities.

If one of our communities catches your eye, attend an open house event or contact us to speak with a team member. We’re happy to answer any questions about apartment amenities, features and pricing.

When you see our commitment to resident care for yourself, you’ll understand why Southern Management invests so much in making sure our amenities are top-of-the-line.